Sounds and Sweet Airs - The Forgotten Women of Classical Music

A companion to the Classic FM series

Francesca Caccini. Barbara Strozzi. Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre. Marianna Martines. Fanny Hensel. Clara Schumann. Lili Boulanger. Elizabeth Maconchy.

Since the birth of classical music, women who dared compose have faced a bitter struggle to be heard. In spite of this, female composers continued to create, inspire and challenge. Yet even today so much of their work languishes unheard.

Anna Beer reveals the highs and lows experienced by eight composers across the centuries, from Renaissance Florence to twentieth-century London, restoring to their rightful place exceptional women whom history has forgotten.

About the author

Anna Beer is a cultural historian, and the author of biographies of Milton and Lady Bess Raleigh. She is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford. She lives in Oxford, England.

Summary

The hidden history of the women who dared to write music in a man’s world

Report

'Beer's writing is lucid, engaging and exuberant, strongly evoking the cultures and atmospheres that surrounded her subjects...the book in general is terrifically enjoyable and accessible, and leaves one hankering for a second volume.'
Sunday Times

Product details

• Authors: Anna Beer, Beer Anna
• Publisher: Oneworld
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback
• Released: 30.04.2017
• EAN: 9781786070678
• ISBN: 978-1-78607-067-8
• Dimensions: 130 mm x 200 mm x 15 mm
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Biographies, autobiographies; BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Women, Biography: general, Individual composers & musicians, specific bands & groups, MUSIC / General, HISTORY / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Women's Studies, MUSIC / History & Criticism, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Entertainment & Performing Arts, MUSIC / Individual Composer & Musician, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Feminism & Feminist Theory, MUSIC / Genres & Styles / Classical, MUSIC / Genres & Styles / Opera, Gender studies: women, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Music, Musicians, singers, bands and groups, Gender studies: women and girls, Composers and songwriters, Classical style, Art music, orchestral and formal music, Western "classical" music